Fourth to charles auguste martel



(ModeL) A. P. MARTEL.

MAIL BAG.

No. 245,646. Patented Aug. 16,1881.,

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADELARD F. MARTEL, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE FOURTH TO CHARLES AUGUSTE MARTEL, OF SAME PLACE.

MAIL-BAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,646, dated August 16, 1881.

Application filed December 24, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADELARD F. MARTEL, of

Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain Improvements in Mail-Ba gs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mail-bags and it consists in providing the same with a jointed mouth-frame consisting of two parallel end or side sections and a series of intermediate sections jointed together and arranged to fold inward between the end or side sections, said joints being furnished with stops, whereby they are prevented from coming into line with each other, and are consequently caused to fold I5 readily inward.

The invention further consists in a tongue applied to one of the folding sections and arranged to close the passage through which a seal is applied to the lock, the lock-case being specially adapted to receive said tongue.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved mouth-frame expanded; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the same folded; Fig. 3, an interior 2 View of the lock.

The object of my invention is to provide a mail-bag which may be properly closed and fastened without the delay and bother incident to those commonly in use, and one in which 0 the threading of bands, chains, or other fastenin gs through eyes or staples may be avoided.

To this end I provide a mouth-frame consisting of two parallel end sections connected by shorter intermediate sections jointed to the 3 5 end sections and to each other, and adapted to fold alternately in opposite directions, the shorter sections forming the two sides of the mouth-frame. By referring to Fig. 1 this construction will be readily understood.

A represents the frame as a whole, consisting of end sections, a b, and jointed side sections, 0 0. The sides are composed of short sections, preferably a little less than one-half the length of the end sections, and are hinged 4 5 or jointed to fold alternately inward and outward, the hinges being placed alternately on the outer and inner faces of the sections for this purpose, as shown. Thus constructed, the frame may be folded into a compact shape,

(Model) bringing all the short sections constituting the sides face to face with each other and between and within the end sections, as shown in Fig.2.

B represents a staple, firmly secured to the inner face of the end section b, and projecting therefrom toward the opposite end section. 5 5 This staple is of such length that when the frame is folded, as in Fig. 2, it shall extend into the case of a lock, C, applied either to the outer or inner face of the end section, a, the staple passing between the two folded sides, which, being composed of sections a little less than half the length of the ends, do not meet when folded, and consequently leave a-sufficient space between them to receive the staple.

In order the more perfectly to close the space between the ends of the folded sections they may be notched or recessed slightly to receive the edges of the staple B, as indicated in Fig.

2; or the staple may be turned edgcwise or with its flat faces in avertical plane, in which case, being of slight thickness, butlittlc space would be required for it.

In order that the sides may fold readily, each section in the proper direction, the joints or hinges d are arranged to stand out of line with each other when the frame is distended, as shown in Fig. 1, this result being conveniently attained by forming saidjointsorhinges each with a shoulder or stop, 6, by which the sections are prevented from opening out fully and forming a straight line.

In the drawings, the hinges are shown as applied separately to the joints, and in some cases it may be desirable in practice to follow this construction. Ordinarily, however, the sections will be made from sheet or plate metal, and thejoints or-hinges will be formed directly thereon, in which case stops will be formed to preventthem from opening out straight. When constructed as shown in the drawings, the ends of the sections will be beveled and caused to form stops, as shown.

The locking device may be of any desired mechanical construction; but the case C will be formed with apassage, f, through which a seal 5 may be inserted to cover the key-hole, as is well understood. For the purpose of closing this passage or opening and preventing the re moval of the sea], one of the sections of the frame, preferably the one adjoining the end section to which the lock is applied, is provided with a tongue, I), which enters the lock-case and. extends across the passage f, as shown in Fig. 3.

It is obvious that the ends instead of the sides may be jointed and adapted to fold, in which case a single joint at the middle, to gether with joints or flexible connections with the sides, would be sufficient.

The bag material maybe applied in any convenient manner; butif made to encircleor e11- velop the frame, the joints of the latter should afi'ord suflicient space between the faces of the sections to accommodate-the material.

The frame thus constructed is simple, cheap, and strong, and may be closed in an instant. When distended or opened it affords a large opening of convenient shape to receive the matter to be placed in the bag.

Other fastenings may be employed, if desired, either in lieu of or in addition to thatdescribed.

I am aware that jointed sections have heretofore been arranged to fold inward between parallel ends or sides, and I do not broadly claim such construct-ion.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A mouth-frame for mail-bags, consisting of two parallel end or side sections connected by intermediate jointed sections adapted to fold inward between them, the joints beingfurnished with stops, whereby they are prevented from coming into line with each other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a folding mouthframe, a lock provided with a seal-passage, and a tongue secured to the mouth-frame and adapted to close said passage when the frame is folded.

A. F. MARTEL.

Witnesses:

ARCHIBALD STEWART, H. GABON. 

